New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-28
PRIVATE LIFE AND CHARACTER.

p oachablo Of men, ana yet until he acted none
knew either his plans his views. He listened
coureousIy to every one, but what he heard rarely
changed his deliberate iudg ment. In the heat Of
tho contest, when upon his decision or signature de-
pended results of tho greatest importance TO power
ful and persistent applicants his manner Of eceiv-
ing them led 10 angry charges that no had conveyed
impressions or been guilty OF bad ialth but no
proof ever submitted and II came 10 be admitted
mat he was simply under The most tantalning and
exaspeTating conaiOns always gentleman. lie was
laulLess in dress and MANNERS, whether IN the exec
utyo chamber upOn tho platform or III Tie crowd
Dut this scruulOus executes seemed 10 enhance his
popularity. lie loved miuglo freely with the Deo
,c, received tho like Kindly greeting aud cor
dial confluence from worlhngmen fresh from the forge
or merchants In their pa. lOr5 or counting rooms
When the history Of our state comes 10 be mparuaN
wilton, Mr.. Ienton VIII be given rank rs il best
political organizer after Martin Van Bufcn. But nc
possessed "a magnetism which Van Burcn never hal
A most tender gentle and aiecu0nao nature shonc
brightly for his friends through the crust OF the man
| ncrisms OF ofico and policy. have met all the
public Of my ume under circumstances sunic-
iently close 10 form some Judgment as 10 the sc
cnts Of their power and he was one OF the very few
who had eloquent presence. His touch and look
conveyed, If he pleased, such world OF interest and
regard that tho recipient without knowing why felt
hOuord by bis confidence ana encirccd by his friend
ship IL was this which made IL impossible to crush
him after repeated defeats. Whom he under the
Ian OF power, when TO act with him 10 accept
ostf,ci-In when the 0lcc-boldcr was sure TO lose
his place and tho ambitious found all avenues barred
II they followed his lead, he came year after year
old numerous and aesrrssyo host that IL regured
the resources OF unsurpassed cloqucncc political
sagacty and the lavish prizes Of patronage to pre-
vent his carrying OF the victory. The character
and deeds which rebound TO his honor and will per-
pctuato his memory sources OF Just pride for
his state and OF lasting pleasure TO his friends lie
was representative Of the people when the most
vital questions affecting the wclfaIe Of tho human
this continent wce ut issus and the Repub-
lie In the agonies OF dissolution and acted well the
part Of phianihfopist patriot and statesman He
was twice Governor Of this state at most critical
period In It's history, welding the powers Of the Ex-
ccutive with wisdom and courage. and the leader
OF tho dominant party In the commonwealth, cxcrcis
Ing a potent, but broad and heathful influence In
the affairo OF the nation He United States Sen
ator during the fruitful period Of the reconstruction
| OF the Government and left enduring monuments OF
fidelity and ability OF the architects OF the
new As Congressman, Governor, Senator,
there Is no stain upon his record, and his public life
! stands Pure and unassailed.
Tho controversies which occupied so largo part
! Of his life Tho causes which produced
them ceased 10 exist. and tho friends and foes
OF that period fight the old battles without
rancOr passion. Tho ever dissOlving and reunit
ing fragments OF political forces of by friction
| enmities aud jcaousics and by tho recognition OF
merits before unknown In opponents we are all
| brought into more harmonious and Dcp eating
| relations. we can oil stand beside the
grave Of Reuben T. Fenton. ana forget
ting for the moment our divisions and contentious.
mourn the Of who In his day and generation
acted 60 well his part private Citizen and pubic